Pluralistic and Elitist Matrix Essay

Introduction Power is an essentially contested concept. Power is an inherently political concept. Therefore, to define power, we should constitute components of political sociology. Power is the ability to share, exercise or delegate responsibilities and authority (Byme, 2010). There are various theories of power; the pluralists, elitists and Marxists. Pluralists explain the way power is distributed in the society. Elitists show how power is concentrated in the society. Marxists show how class conflict with economic power (Connolly, 2006). However, this paper will create a matrix of difference between the pluralist and elitist. Under pluralists, political power is split and detached. The presence of social classes, status groups, political parties, interest groups and pressure groups are evidence of power distribution. It is agreeable that groups provide more efficient and effective means of representation than the electoral process (Patron et al.., 2006). Pluralists provide that no one group will dominate because every group has equal and opposite changes. It postulates that the larger the group, the more influencing power it has. Policies prove as the outcomes of their bargaining; therefore, compromises tend to be moderate, fair to all and conductive to social balance. The state is so impartial in the contending groups and behaves like an orientation between them. Pluralists are divided into two groups: insider and outsider groups. Insider groups are those that are more powerful as they form part of establishments. Insider groups can work intimately with the voted and selected Provo in both central and local authorities. However, the group is not so beneficial because it is conferred upon those with principally attuned opinions to the ruling regime. On the other hand, outside groups are less powerful and do not have easy access to politicians and civil servants since its outside status is a sign of weakness. Groups can choose to remain outside because perhaps to avoid  being compromised (Hill, 2005). An example of this system is the National Union Party (NUP). NUP from the pluralistic view is an independent party group formed and given power during an electoral process to represent and fight for the rights and interests of citizens. The roles and representing interests are put in the manifesto. Elitists, on the other hand, include the ruling over by small elite groups that make decisions or rules over a large group which is submissive and marginalized in political powers (rothkopf, 2008). Elitists have colossal sources of power got either through wealth possessions, religious authority or traditional authority in the society. Modern democracy contains democratic elitism opportunities for the ordinary passive masses to vote in various elites to rule over them (Patron et al.., 2006). Distribution of power in society reflects the inequities in wealth. Some groups have few resources, and others have many. Some interests are unorganized; some rely on others to protect them, for instance, the poor, mentally ill, children, homeless, and women among others. Groups always fight their battles in a pattern that is systematically loaded in favor of middle and upper-class interests or the interests of economic groups (Richardson et al.., 2011). For example, Public oversight Authority (POA) from an elitist viewpoint is a politically organized committee with the purpose of raising and spending resources so as to withdraw and choose a political candidate. POA represents youth, employments, business projects and youths with special interests.POA can raise up to $20000 to promote a committee in the national political party. In conclusion, the difference in sources, nature, analysis and verdict of power between the Pluralists and Elitists is stated by the following matrix. Pluralists Elitists Sources of power Interests of the society Elite group formation Nature of power Detached intense Analysis of power Positive neutral Ultimate verdict The system of power is engaged. The system of ruling is accepted. References Byrne, R. (2010). The power. New York: Atria Books. Connolly, W. E. (2006). Political science and ideology. New Brunswick, NJ: Transaction Publishers. Hill, M. (2005). The public policy process (4. Ed.). New York: Pearson Longman. Patron, S., & Phelan, M. (2006). The higher power of Lucky. New York: Atheneum Books for Young Readers. Richardson, I., Kakabadse, A., & Kakabadse, N. (2011). Bilderberg people: elite power and consensus in world affairs. Abingdon, Oxon: Routledge. Rothkopf, D. J. (2008). Superclass: the global power elite and the world they are making. New York: Farrar, Straus and Giroux.